10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
9 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
8 / 1
Average Mileage:
4,533 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

1998 Ford Windstar brakes problems

brakes problem

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1998 Ford Windstar Owner Comments (Page 3 of 4)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #39

Jan 102000

Windstar

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The sensor ring for the ABS system failed. The entire axle had to be replaced at a cost of over $300. I have the part that failed and found that the part had a manufacturing defect. But have been unable to get any compensation from Ford Motor Company.

- Wabash, IN, USA

problem #38

Jul 152000

Windstar

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
Consumer was traveling about 55mph on the highway and it was raining, and ABS light came on the dashboard. Also, traction control light was blinking, saying the system was off. ABS brake system stopped working.

- Plainview, NY, USA

problem #37

May 302000

Windstar

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
Vehicle started making a squeaking noise. When the brakes were press the noise would go away. It has been taken to the dealer 10 times. Dealer said they have done enough & it wasn't anything else they could do. Vehicle was taken to repair shop & they found that the brake pads needed to be rotated and/ or replaced.

- Bellevue, WA, USA

problem #36

Apr 152000

Windstar

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Computer module that controls ABS system failed, also affects the traction control feature of the vehicle, that also has failed. Cost to replace part is $980. Plus labor. This is a major component of the ABS braking system, which is part of the vehicles safety features and a failure so earlier in the life of this vehicle is absurd. The maintenance person at the dealership said there was a bulletin out on this but we can't find it. My sister and brother-in-law have the same year and model of Windstar and are having a failure of their traction control feature which is intermittent but their dealer can't find the cause.

- Jackson, MO, USA

problem #35

Nov 181999

Windstar

  • miles
Consumer applied brakes and the automobile did not stop. Consumer's wife hit a parked car.

- Melrose Park, IL, USA

problem #34

Mar 242000

(reported on)

Windstar

  • miles
While applying brakes rear brakes locked up. Dealer has been contacted. Please provide further informaton.

- Fultonville, NY, USA

problem #33

Feb 142000

Windstar

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

When applying ABS brakes on wet and snowy pavement, pedal goes to the floor, causing extended stopping distance. Cause unknown.

- Great Falls, MT, USA

problem #32

Feb 011999

(reported on)

Windstar

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
Anti-lock brakes inoperable.

- Long Beach, CA, USA

problem #31

Feb 082000

(reported on)

Windstar

  • miles
ABS brake warning light remains illuminated, indicating a malfunction within the system, cause unknown.

- Palmyra, PA, USA

problem #30

Oct 141999

Windstar

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
While driving down street car ran stop sign, consume smashed on brakes, but still crashed into other car, upon impact, passenger's side ar bag deployed and struck father in face, causing temporary blindness. Also, brakes squeaked, and pulled to right when applied. Dealer test drove vehicle, but found nothing. Claim forms were to be sent to consumer, but were never sent.

- Himingway, SC, USA

problem #29

Oct 011998

Windstar

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Vehicle has been in numerous times for new seals on front right passenger door for wind noise: Also been in for failed brake system numerous times and front rotors have been on back order for almost 2 months: In numerous times for front end alignment-checked and rechecked by several Ford dealers and they cannot do anything, vehicle has always pulled to the right; engine has died several times and would not start back up; front pads on brake system have been replaced and rotors turned at only 10,000 miles still grinding and will not stop correctly; vehicle feels to me as unsafe for my wife and two younger boys.

- Mcdonough, GA, USA

problem #28

Dec 301999

(reported on)

Windstar

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
While applying the brakes, consumer noticed grinding noise. Dealer has been notified, can't duplicate problems.

- Commerce, GA, USA

problem #27

Dec 201999

Windstar

  • miles
Consumer while backing out of garage felt like car had backed over something.rear passenger side brake froze up. Anti-lock brake light was on. Back wheel on the passenger's side was not turning while driving vehicle. Consumer says it was snowing were they were. Took to dealer, and they told consumer to tap with a hammer and put car somewhat warm.

- Cumberland, IA, USA

problem #26

Dec 021999

Windstar

  • miles
Vehicle was involved in a collision because the ABS failed. Vehicle has been repaired by the dealer.

- Merrit Island, FL, USA

problem #25

Dec 121999

Windstar

  • miles
While wife was driving tire blew out, and automobile accelerated. Driver could not get automobile to stop.- vehicle went into a ditch and flipped over. Driver was injured.

- Chassell, MI, USA

problem #24

Jul 081999

Windstar

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
While going around a turn and yielding brakes hardened and steering locked up for about 5 seconds. Dealer could not identify the problem. But if the car had died, they probley could have found the problem easier. If driving at a faster speed and steering locked up there could be a serious accident.

- Escondido, CA, USA

problem #23

Aug 311999

Windstar

  • miles
Within 3 months of each other the right and left front ABS (speed sensor) rings cracked in half. I was informed by the repairing Ford dealership, chapman Ford, pleasantville, NJ, that this problem was evidently a defect and could not understand how this could occur under normal driving conditions. I viewed the broken left sensor ring. There was no corrosion and no evidence of wear or tear. It was simply cracked in half. This defect causes the automatic braking system to fail. Ford refuses to acknowledge there is a problem and refuses assistance with replacing the defective parts.

- Little Egg Harbor, NJ, USA

problem #22

Aug 311999

Windstar

  • miles
*since purchase new, one tire would go nearly flat weekly. Took it to the dealer to have it checked when they checked the window mechanism and the ABS sensor light--no problem found. Took it to 3 different tire stores (2 Goodyear)--no problem found. It went bald after only 18K and 2 rotations. No problem since purchasing 2 new tires. Alignment was not a problem--done @ 10K & 21K. Weather did not effect air loss, either. *drivers "auto-down" feature has never worked consistantly. Has nearly caused accidents & is very frustrating. Dealer has checked it too many times to count--same with the light on the dash coming on and not going off. I think they changed fuses once--still happens, but not as often. Would that effect safety? I don't know if the system will work properly while the light is flashing. *wiper problem is very intermittent--of course. When on slow intermittent (1 or 2) speed, will speed up on it's own to very fast & then must be turned off & back on again in order to get the correct speed set again. Temp & time run does not effect malfunction at all--happens hot or cold & after 3-5 minutes or up to an hour. Back wiper has always "chattered" when wiping--worse when cold. You change this window" it's hard to tell what you type and very hard to correct errors.( dot number: 97S " tire size: P215/70R15 )

- Colorado Springs, CO, USA

problem #21

Feb 051999

Windstar

  • miles
When driving down a slope and applying brakes, the brakes will go straight floor.

- Lanham, MD, USA

problem #20

Mar 011998

Windstar

  • miles
IE99059, the defective steering bushings does not support the system which causes the vehicle steering system to malfuction. Also, braking system malfunctioned, causing extended stopping distance which may result in a crash. The fuel pump went out unexpectedly, cause vehicle to stall. Finally, liftgate indicator light came on, but the liftgate remained closed. Brakes been replace once, and bushings 3 times. Please provide further information and VIN#.

- High Park, MA, USA

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